The new Prime Minister of Ireland, Simon Harris gestures as he is applauded by fellow lawmakers outside Leinster House, in Dublin, Ireland, on April 9.Simon Harris became Ireland’s youngest ever prime minister on Tuesday, pledging to bring new ideas and energy to the less than 12 months he has boost the coalition government’s bid to halt a first electoral victory by left-wing Sinn Fein.
“Now is an opportune time to build a new social contract – one which renews our promise as a Republic. To create equality of opportunity. To support those who need the state the most. To protect our hard-earned economic success. To use its benefits to deliver tangible outcomes to society.” “There are some small wins he can deliver on but ultimately Simon Harris is not going to be able to do anything substantial at this stage on the major challenge that this government has been grappling with for four years,” said Theresa Reidy, senior lecturer in politics at University College Cork.
Harris used a speech at Saturday’s Fine Gael annual conference to spell out his focus on law and order, helping small business and reconnecting with rural voters.